Disabled people included in body image Ministerial debate

EFDS was recently invited to a Ministerial debate on body image with Lynne Featherstone MP, hosted at the Fitness Industry Association Head Office. The purpose of the ministerial debate was to discuss how body image is represented within the sport and fitness sector. Attendees represented both public and private sector leisure providers, National Governing Bodies of Sport and slimming organisations. EFDS attendees included staff from our IFI programme to ensure disabled people were fully recognised on the agenda.

Poor body image for disabled people has previously been highlighted as a key barrier to participation in sport and physical activity. Disabled people continue to be under-represented within the fitness industry and the Olympic and Paralympic Games have shown an increase in disabled people represented throughout the media.

Channel 4, with broadcasting rights to the Paralympics, has pledged to present more media coverage of the Games than ever before. EFDS hopes the recognition and presence will encourage more disabled people to take part, not just because disabled people want to follow the pathways to become elite athletes. But also because they identify with someone with similar traits and  are encouraged to take part whatever level they choose to.

Disabled people are more likely to be in-active because of their impairment or medical condition. They are also more likely to develop secondary conditions like diabetes, mental health conditions and metabolic dysfunction as a result of sedentary behaviour and we want to support a change.[1]

We have a great opportunity to use this momentum in sport to change the in-activity trend. Recent research suggests that physical in-activity is as big a killer as smoking, so exercise is clearly an important way to tackle obesity and non-communicable ("lifestyle-related") diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. This matters for disabled people too.

The positive outlook shows in recent statistics from Sport England’s Active People’s Survey (2011-2012). These suggest there is a slight increase in the numbers of disabled adults taking part in sport and physical activity every week from 1.32 million in 2005/2006 to 1.66 million. However, these statistics still only equate to approximately 16% of the 10 million disabled adults in the UK participating, meaning this demographic still fall a long way short of non-disabled adult participation.

The IFI was set up to break down many of the barriers that exist for disabled people to participate in physical activity. It also helps support a cultural change within leisure facilities. We aim to share good practice, assisting the industry to think more about the barriers to participation and influence behaviour change. Recent research shows that exercise can enhance psychological well-being, by improving self-perception and self-esteem. 

A few months ago, IFI presented new promotional material. It shows positive images of disabled people with different impairments being active in our IFI gyms. We believe the ‘Let’s Get PhysicAll’ campaign is a great way to challenge the barriers to participation faced by many disabled people.

You can find more information in the next issue of Fitpro magazine. The campaign is also available to all IFI facilities to support local communities to engage more disabled people. It highlights how to market to disabled people and emphasises exercise in a gym environment is a viable life choice. 

For more information on the EFDS Inclusive Fitness Initiative

 

[1] Sedentary Behaviour and Obesity Expert Working Group (2010) Sedentary Behaviour and Obesity: Review of the Current Scientific Evidence. London: Department of Health.